CLAM as a teaching method

CLAM explained

CLAM is an acronym for “continuously looking at the model“. It describes a teaching method, suggested by Kimon Nicolaїdes and popularised by Betty Edwards. However, they describe it as “contour drawing”. Since 1941, when Nicolaїdes‘ book “The Natural Way to Draw” was published posthumously and started its life as the most influential book on drawing published in the twentieth century, his method has proved its value as a powerful teaching tool. However, in addition to its well established advantages, it has significant disadvantages. Chapter 6 in my book “Drawing on Both Sides of the Brain” explains both its strengths and its limitations.

3 thoughts on “CLAM as a teaching method”

You have delved deeply into the advantages and disadvantages of drawings made while continuously looking at the model. It is rare to find such thorough information about this interesting tool, even though it is used so heavily in many drawing classes. This post definitely makes me more aware of how to use CLAM to my advantage.